Somyot receives Human Rights Award in South Korea

On November 5, the Jeon Tae Il Foundation (Chairman Lee Soo-ho, Former Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) announced that Thai prisoner of conscience Somyot Prueksakasemsuk won the 24th Jeon Tae Il Labour Award.
Established in 1988, the Jeon Tae Il Labour Award has been given to 7 individuals and 29 organizations up to last year. For this award, labor organizations and individuals nominate candidates, but the Jeon Tae Il Foundation judges select the final winner. The award ceremony is held at the “National Workers’ Rally in honor of the Spirit of Jeon Tae IL,” which takes place every year in early November.

This prestigious award within the labor community goes to those who have realized the spirit of Jeon Tae IL most completely. The final winner should be the one who has contributed the most to the labor movement, and civil and labor rights in terms of community organizing, commitment, morality, and deep affection and trust in human beings.

Before comrade Somyot, Korean labor activists and organizations have been the only award winners. But, this year, the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union (KHMU, President Yoo Ji-hyun) nominated our Thai brother Somyot, and the Foundation endorsed the health union’s recommendation. Hence, Somyot has become the first non-Korean winner of the prize.

Meanwhile, the Foundation decided to award the same special prize to Chairman Han Sang-gyun of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), who has been detained. Since both winners are in prison, no one can attend the award ceremony. For brother Somyot, his daughter plans to be on stage on her father’s behalf for the ceremony taking place on November 12.

The special prizewinner Somyot (55) had been active in the labor movement for over three decades as an activist and a journalist before being imprisoned by the military regime on April 30, 2011. He was charged with so-called lese majeste. He received an 11 year sentence in 2013, but is currently serving a five year and six months prison-term.

Somyot formed the Centre for Labour Information Service and Training (CLIST). At CLIST, he unionized and trained workers in various industries such as chemicals, apparels, and automobiles, and thereby helped workers organize democratic labor unions and cemented solidarity among unionists. With a high level of interest in the Korean democratic labor movement, he has long been in touch with Korean labor movements since the 1990s. He organized trainings and exchanges between labor movement activities in Korea and Thailand and translated “March for the Beloved,” a flagship movement song of Korea into Thai as the “Solidarity Song.” The translated song soon became popular among Thai unionists.

Somyot has also been a leader in international solidarity activities. Whenever the Korean government oppressed the KCTU, he held a protest rally at the Korean embassy in Thailand.

The KHMU first got to know brother Somyot in 2008 when it ran a training program for Thai union executive activists in cooperation with Somyot. The KHMU has continued a campaign demanding his release, together with civic groups, after he was imprisoned. The KHMU strongly urge the Thai government to set free all political prisoners, including brother Somyot, immediately, on the occasion of this award presentation.

Jeon Tae-il (August 26, 1948–November 13, 1970) was a tailor in the Seoul Pyeonghwa Sijang (Seoul Peace Market). He is a legendary labor movement activist who burned himself to death, demanding that employers observe the Labor Standard Law in 1970. The founding of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) honored his spirit. The democratic union confederation holds the National Workers’ Rally to commemorate Jeon’s spirit every November. Jeon’s mother, Lee So-seon (December 30, 1929–September 3, 2011) devoted herself to the movement for workers’ rights and democracy on her son’s behalf after Jeon died. Ms. Lee has been called the “Mother of Workers

Release Joop and Tai!

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Singtor

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Sunee

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Fabian, Zimbabwe

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested: please help Thailand" Ramirez

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested" Apolinaire, Geneva

"Dear Joop and Tai. I am watching the situation in Thailand closely and am very concerned for your safety. I know you are strong, and hope you you will be brave and strong during this period. I will write a letter to the Thai Embassy here in Wellington sharing my concern. Stay strong." Edward, Wellington

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Pradit

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Kijin

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Chotipanyo

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Kitahata, Japan

"I hope they will be released very soon, as well as Somyot." Pierre-Marc

"free somyot and his family!" Alan

"Please release them immediately." Robert, New Zealand

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." David, New Zealand

"You must treat them humanely and with respect and release them!" Lulu, London

"Hi beautiful Joop and Tai, All around earth we love you a lot, like Somyot. You're good, really good and so right. The best for you all. You shine in the light with wonderful blue sky and sun." Alina, Chris, Max, France

"What is the charge against them? There is no charge! Or the 'charge' is the same as the charge against all Thais ... opposing the treasonous coup d'etat of Prayuth & Co. To be a dictator you need a nation of stenographers ... and that ain't Thailand, as has become increasingly apparent since the destruction of yet another popularly elected government and the destruction of its own constitution by Royal Thai Army Coup d'Etat Number 19. Free Tai! Free Joop! Free Somyot! Free all political prisoners! Free Thailand from the hands of the Royal Thai Army!" John, UK
"Dear Joop and Tai, my thoughts are with you at this very troubling time. I have heard of your arrests and this concerns me greatly as, I know, it concerns many people internationally and organizations including Amnesty International. I can only hope that you are being treated humanely and will be released soon." Charlotte, LA

"You are wrong to arrest these people. They should be released immediately. Meanwhile, I expect to see clear evidence that Somyot, Joop and Tai's human rights are being respected." Rosemary, Peru

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested. : I am shocked and appalled to see innocent people being treated like this. Abducting the family members of peaceful activists is behaviour associated with the most evil regimes that have existed. This is how the Nazis behaved, this is how Pol Pot behaved, this how Gaddafi behaved. This is how the Junta in Myanmar/Burma behaves. Is Thailand really going to become another Burma? I really hope the Thai military stops behaving in the this disgusting and illegal way, and returns to path of democracy and respect for human rights very soon. I extend my sincerest best wishes to Somyot’s family and hope they are released very soon and unharmed." Paul, UK

"Release Joop and Tai. Release all those who are imprisoned. Release Somyot and all political prisoners" Lee, Thailand

"I am aware and concerned that Joop and Tai have been arrested." Jaap, Netherlands